At least 24 people have lost their lives in Central Europe after Cyclone Boris caused severe flooding throughout the region. Heavy rain started on September 12 and lasted for days, impacting the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Austria, and reaching into areas of Italy, Slovakia and Hungary. Along with the deaths, many are still missing, and thousands have been evacuated from their homes and towns. These numbers may continue to increase as the total impact of Boris is fully realized.
ADRA offices in Europe are responding to the heavy flooding in a wide variety of ways. Beyond financially supporting families who lost their homes and possessions, ADRA and their volunteers across impacted regions are providing assistance by handing out food, water, and sanitary items. Cash assistance is planned to support families renovating their houses. Specially trained teams are also able to focus on psychosocial assistance to people who have been impacted by Cyclone Boris.
In Romania, flooding severally impacted the southeastern region, resulting in 7 people dead and even more missing. More than 15,000 people and 5,000 households have been impacted.
ADRA Romania is mobilizing quickly to intervene in these affected communities providing aid, including basic foodstuffs, hygiene products, drinking water, pumps for water evacuations and generators. ADRAs volunteer teams are on the ground to distribute these resources and provide moral support to those affected.
More than 200 Adventist Church volunteers, including pastors and administrators, came from all over Romania, and helped to remove mud also from houses, clean and disinfect walls, and wash carpets. ADRA Romania also distributed large family packs with food items, bottled drinking water, and hygiene products like soap toothpaste, and household disinfectants.
One such beneficiary in Romania was Mrs. Maria. She told ADRA Romania that at first she didn’t want to leave, even though she was told that high water was coming. However, when the water reached her waist, her son carried her on his back, and, with great difficulty, they reached the local Cultural Center, where they took shelter. When they returned, her house was no longer habitable.
The ADRA team found Mrs. Maria trying to clear the mud from the yard. She invited them into the house, and they saw how the flood had destroyed the entire interior of the modest house. It was only her faith in God that kept her going, slowly cleaning the rooms that still had water on the floor.
The hygiene and food packages provided by the ADRA Romania team brought joy to her heart, and she expressed deep gratitude for the help she received from ADRA.
Water, in particular, was a lifeline, as she had no access to clean drinking water and the electricity had been cut off. But beyond this immediate help, the need remains urgent. Without electricity, cooking is impossible, and contaminated water sources mean she still relies on outside help.
The next period of ADRA’s work will be important as they continue to help her with food, water and non-perishable food packages to help Mrs. Maria, and others like her, to survive.
In the Czech Republic, days of heavy rain led to severe flooding, particularly in the northeastern regions. Heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, submerging towns and villages More than 20,000 households have lost power. Five deaths have been confirmed and 8 people are missing.
“The humanitarian aid phase is just beginning,” says Josef Koláček, emergency assistance coordinator for ADRA Czech. “Until yesterday evacuations were still taking place, and water levels were either peaking or yet to peak.”
ADRA Czech, along with their volunteers have been assessing the situation, and evaluating impacted households through a mobile app. So far they have evaluated more than 600 households. This mobile system will allow them to quickly and efficiently send out cash vouchers and material. ADRA Volunteers have started helping clear debris, clean up around, and in homes, and help vulnerable groups and the elderly manage repairs.
In southern Poland, hundreds of cities, towns, and villages were impacted. In many parts of the regions impacted there is no power or phone service. At least 7 people have lost their lives, and many more are still missing.
ADRA Poland is working to assess damages and raising money to provide necessities for those who have been impacted. On September 23rd, they received and handed over 20 dehydrators to help in flooded areas. These dehydrators will help support the hundreds of families who are trying to dry out and save their homes.
ADRA Ukraine is working to support ADRA Poland after the flood by organizing training for the psychological team in Poland. The training focused on providing psychological help and support to the people impacted by the floods.
In Austria, several regions were also impacted by record flooding. Thankfully, due to donations, ADRA was able to purchase a lifeboat and boat trailer for the local Hoheneich volunteer fire brigade. Boats like these are vital in situations like the flooding due to Cyclone Boris as it helps save lives and limit dangerous situations for rescuers and the stranded alike.
As ADRA in Europe continues to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Boris, they will work to help those impacted by the storms and flooding. Please keep those who have been affected by the flooding, our ADRA workers and volunteers in your prayers as they work to help those in need.
